UPDATE 3-GM and Canada union far apart on product as strike looms

TORONTO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Canada's autoworkers' union
Unifor and General Motors Co made little progress
resolving the key issue of new investment in contract talks late
on Sunday, the union's president said, just over 24 hours ahead
of a strike deadline.

The automaker and the union representing its Canadian
manufacturing workers have been divided over union demands that
GM commit to building new vehicle models at its Oshawa, Ontario,
plant.

"There's a hell of a lot of work to do and not a lot of time
with which to do it," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias
in an interview.

Asked whether the two sides were discussing a new product
for GM's Oshawa assembly, Dias said: "They understand that they
have to do something, but we're not really talking about
anything specific, which is problematic."

Dias said the union has not yet received a contract proposal
from GM, but he remains confident the automaker will eventually
offer a product. He said the union will not extend its strike
deadline.

GM declined to comment.

A four-year contract covering the workers of GM, Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles and Ford Motor Co
in the province of Ontario expires on Monday. The union chose GM
as its strike target for contract talks, with GM's deal setting
the pattern for the other manufacturers.
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